Pdd-nos ....??

Question

My son just turned two and still doesnt speak. I started to worry around 15 months when he wasnt talking but everyone kept saying "oh dont worry everyone is different" or "boys are usually delayed" and things like that. I took him to a neurologist a few months ago and she diagonsed him with PDD-NOS but said its not a definate diagnosis.that it basically means a developmental delay...but i already knew that thats why I brought him in the first place. He just started early intervention and has had one session....

I am looking for some ideas from people who have had similar issues ..and maybe some advice because I feel like I'm driving myself crazy and have trouble enjoying my time with him becasue Im too busy worrying...and feeling guilty like maybe I did something wrong, like let him watch too much tv when he was younger or didnt do enough to help him develop

3 weeks ago

Answer 1

My nephew did this same thing.. we thought he was just refusing to talk because his older brother always spoke for him and so didn't my youngest son. We were told that he was slow.. that he had learning problems.. that he needed to see a therepist... etc.! We finally took him to an ENT and come to find out..... he couldn't hear you, and he should have tubes put in his ears!

(now I don't believe in tubes myself...  too many risks of permanently losing hearing if you ask me)

BUT.. it worked. They had the tubes put in and within 3 weeks that child was talking my darn ear off.

And still 2 years later he is saying words that I can't even pronounce...lol

Go have his hearing checked hun and see if maybe that could be part of his problem.

Good Luck to you!

Answer 2

I am not sure what pdd-nos is but my twins were delayed. The had to go though early intervention. I interacted with what the therapist showed me. It was always with what she was working with at the time. My girls learned sign language before talking. Once they started the signing they quickly began to talk.

Answer 3

I think what would be really helpful - and unfortunately its not an overnight thing...

Ask your sons paediatrician to refer him to 'inclusion' - early years specialists. they should assess him and then start on a program which is called 'portage' its helps them to develop in the way which they havent managed on their own.

If you dont have a paediatrician, ask your health visitor, she might be able to refer you as well.

hope that helps.

On the socialising front - i was told by inclusion, to do as many turn-taking, backwards/forwards games as possible. Really basic stuff like rolling ball to each other. If he cant manage that just with you, get someone else to join in while you try and get him to roll the ball (by sitting behind and rolling for him). Do ANYthing that involves him having to interact 1-1 repeatedly. If hes bouncing, bounce with him. If hes pacing, pace with him. If hes stacking, stack with him..anything that brings his world into yours - but on his terms.

Answer 4

basically PDD-NOS is an umbrella diagnosis. My son has it and he is 12. He has multiple delays, but not enough in the right categories for a concrete diagnosis of autism or asberger syndrome. The fact that you have him in early intervention is a good thing...they will make sure he gets the correct therapies to help him thrive and achieve his full potential.

The lack of speech is probably one of the parts of his PDD. My youngest son (2) has a speech delay and is in early intervention and speech therapy. Try to find a series of DVD's called "signing time". they are really fun and helpful when it comes to basic needs being communicated. My ST reccomended them and EI bought them for him with resource money assigned to him. Does he have any sensory problems ( irritated by clothing tags, face being wiped, loud noises, food textures)? this could also be part of the diagnosis. If he does a good book is "the out of sync child".

Do not blame yourself for his issues...unless you parked him in front of the TV for hours at a time and did not interact with him at all. Both my boys have issues, and both of them got LOTS of attention. My oldest was almost exclusively with me for his first 2 years...and still had issues that I can trace back to 2.5 years old. My youngest has been home with me since birth...and delivering Avon orders with me since he was 6 days old. he has had plenty of interaction with real people and STILL has a moderate speech delay ( and probable apraxia), and sensory issues. TV has actually been a good therapy tool for him. he used to watch (sort of) several hours a day of PBS...things like sesame street, SuperWhy?, and wordworld. he could ID his ABCs before he could say 2 dozen words...including his own name. His therapist was amazed and told me to keep letting him watch the shows since he was learning so well from them. feel free to contact me if you need a sympathetic shoulder...or speech therapy tools to use at home. My ST copies stuff for me and doesn't mind if I pass stuff on to someone who can use it:)

Answer 5

I wouldn't worry too much yet. I went through almost the same exact thing with my son. He was delayed in everything..walking, talking, potty training. We took him to different Dr's including a neurologist. We got different diagnosis from autism to delayed development. Well I'm happy to tell you that my son is 12 now and completely normal. He is caught up with other kids his age. I will tell you this though. When he started elementary school they wanted to put him in "special" classes because he was behind, and I refused and made them put him in mainstream classes. Although he struggled at times I think it was best that he was in "normal" classes. stop driving yourself crazy and just follow your instincts. Your son will talk when he is ready.

Answer 6

My son is 5 1/2 years old and was diagnosed with PDD which includes Autism and I was told that he has Aspergers which is a high functioning form of autism.  I am working with a councler that works with him and we are doing different activities plus he has physical therapy that helps with the physical stuff but he may also be going into speech therapy soon and they can give great ideas.  You didn't do anything wrong, PDD is more a mental issue I guess and can be caused by so many different factors.